Tag Archives: input-tax

VAT: Difficulties with DIY Housebuilders’ claim – The Spani case

By   18 September 2023
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Latest from the courts

In the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) case of Spani v HMRC [2023] UKFTT 00727 (TC) the issue was whether a claim under the DIY Housebuilders’ Scheme (the scheme) was valid.

Mr Spani appealed against HMRC’s decision to refuse a claim. It was rejected as the respondents concluded that the property was to be used for business purposes because Planning Permission was for a holiday let rather than residential own use. To claim under the scheme, the relevant the property must be used “otherwise than in the course of furtherance of business” – VAT Act 1994, section 35)

Background

The cottage was constructed in Seaford – within the Souths Down National Park and, in order to obtain planning consent, it was required to be made available for letting on a commercial basis for 140 days a year. The appellant contended that it was his primary residence in the UK and any letting (which was interrupted by covid in any case) was/would be incidental to this primary purpose.

The property was listed on Air BnB in order to satisfy the requirements of the planning consent, but the property had not been actively marketed and no lettings had taken place.

Mr Spani contended that the use of the cottage “falls far short of the HMRC’s position that it was the appellant’s intention to use the property for a wholly commercial purpose”. It was simply the appellant’s home in the UK and that an identical property built outside the National Park would not have the Planning Permission holiday let requirement.

Further, if it was a commercial enterprise, Mr Spani could have could have used another reclaim route, viz: registering for VAT and recovering an element of the input tax incurred.

Decision

The appeal was dismissed – The judge opined that “none of these events subsequent to the grant of the Planning Permission and completion certificate detract from the fact that the property was built to be a holiday let (as stipulated by the planning consent) and was therefore constructed in furtherance of a FHL* business”.

Additionally, the FTT stated that: it is plain that the appellant’s plan to live in the property within the FHL regulations does not (and cannot) alter the property into a dwelling… when there is the express prohibition placed on the property to be a dwelling.

The conclusion was that the property was built in furtherance of a business which prohibited a claim.

Commentary

Yet another case highlighting precise requirements of a claim under the scheme and HMRC’s strict application of the rules. Care must always be taken in such cases and we advise professional advice is sought prior to a submission of a claim.

More on similar cases here and here  and Top Ten Tips for the scheme.   

* Furnished Holiday Let

VAT: HMRC partial exemption guidance updated

By   18 September 2023
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VAT Notice 706 has been updated on he option to send an email to get an approval for a partial exemption special method has been removed from sections 6.2, Appendix 2 and how to apply.

Para 6.2 – “Get approval for a special method

You cannot change your method without our prior approval. You must continue to use your current method, whether that is the standard method or a special method, until we approve or direct the use of another method or direct termination of its use.

You can get approval for a special method by using the online service.

If you are unable to use the online service, contact VAT Written Enquiries team by post.

You must explain clearly how your proposed method will work, you should see Appendix 2 in this guide.

When you propose a special method you must include a declaration that the method is fair from its effective date of application, and for the foreseeable future so that from its effective date a fair amount of input tax is recovered”.

 

Examples of special methods (PESM) are:

  • sectors and sub-sectors
  • multi pot
  • time spent
  • headcount
  • values
  • number of transactions
  • floor space
  • cost accounting system
  • pro-rata
  • combinations of the above methods

Partial Exemption guidance here

VAT: Definition of insurance

By   5 September 2023
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Further to my article on insurance and partial exemption, HMRC has published a new definition of what insurance means for VAT as a consequence of the CJEU United Biscuits (Pension Trustees) Ltd and another v HMRC [2020] STC 2169 case.

It is set out in para 2.2 of Public Notice 701/36

What insurance is

There is no statutory definition of insurance, although guidance can be gained from previous legal decisions in which the essential nature of insurance has been considered.

The Court of Justice of the European Union , in the case of United Biscuits (Pension Trustees) Ltd & Anor v R & C Commrs (Case C235-19) [2020], upheld the definition given in the case of Card Protection Plan Ltd v C & E Commrs (Case C-349/96) [1999] which concluded that:

“…the essentials of an insurance transaction are… that the insurer undertakes, in return for prior payment of a premium, to provide the insured, in the event of materialisation of the risk covered, with the service agreed when the contract was concluded”.

HMRC also accept that certain funeral plan contracts are insurance (and therefore exempt from VAT), even though they are not regulated as such under the FSMA insurance regulatory provisions.

Vehicle breakdown insurance is also seen as insurance even though providers are given a specific exclusion under the FSMA from the requirement to be authorised.

VAT – Tour Operators’ Margin Scheme (TOMS) A Brief Guide

By   24 August 2023
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VAT and TOMS: Complex and costly

Introduction

The tour operators’ margin scheme (TOMS) is a special scheme for businesses that buy in and re-sell travel, accommodation and certain other services as principals or undisclosed agents (ie; that act in their own name). In many cases, it enables VAT to be accounted for on travel supplies without businesses having to register and account for VAT in every country in which the services and goods are enjoyed. It does, however, apply to travel/accommodation services enjoyed within the UK and wholly outside the UK.

Under the scheme:

  • VAT cannot be reclaimed on margin scheme supplies bought in for resale. VAT on overheads outside the TOMS can be reclaimed in the normal way.
  • A UK-based tour operator need only account for VAT on the margin, ie; the difference between the amount received from customers and the amount paid to suppliers.
  • There are special rules for determining the place, liability and time of margin scheme supplies.
  • VAT invoices cannot be issued for margin scheme supplies.
  • In-house supplies supplied on their own are not subject to the TOMS and are taxed under the normal VAT rules. But a mixture of in-house supplies and bought-in margin scheme supplies must all be accounted for within the TOMS.
  • No UK VAT is due via TOMS on travel/accommodation/tours enjoyed outside the UK.

Who must use the TOMS?

TOMS does not only apply to ‘traditional’ tour operators. It applies to any business which is making the type of supplies set out below even if this is not its main business activity. For example, it must be used by

  • Hoteliers who buy in coach passenger transport to collect their guests at the start and end of their stay
  • Coach operators who buy in hotel accommodation in order to put together a package
  • Companies that arrange conferences, including providing hotel accommodation for delegates
  • Schools arranging school trips
  • Clubs and associations
  • Charities.

The CJEC has confirmed that to make the application of the TOMS depend upon whether a trader was formally classified as a travel agent or tour operator would create distortion of competition. Ancillary travel services which constitute ‘a small proportion of the package price compared to accommodation’ would not lead to a hotelier falling within the provisions, but where, in return for a package price, a hotelier habitually offers his customers travel to the hotel from distant pick-up points in addition to accommodation, such services cannot be treated as purely ancillary.

Supplies covered by the TOMS

The TOMS must be used by a person acting as a principal or undisclosed agent for

  • ‘margin scheme supplies’; and
  • ‘margin scheme packages’ ie single transactions which include one or more margin scheme supplies possibly with other types of supplies (eg in-house supplies).

‘Margin scheme supplies’ are those supplies which are

  • bought in for the purpose of the business, and
  • supplied for the benefit of a ‘traveller’ without material alteration or further processing

by a tour operator in an EU country in which he has established his business or has a fixed establishment.

A ‘traveller’ is a person, including a business or local authority, who receives supplies of transport and/or accommodation, other than for the purpose of re-supply.

Examples

If meeting the above conditions, the following are always treated as margin scheme supplies.

  • Accommodation
  • Passenger transport
  • Hire of means of transport
  • Use of special lounges at airports
  • Trips or excursions
  • Services of tour guides

Other supplies meeting the above conditions may be treated as margin scheme supplies but only if provided as part of a package with one or more of the supplies listed above. These include

  • Catering
  • Theatre tickets
  • Sports facilities

This scheme is complex and specialist advice should always be sought before advising clients.

VAT: Electronic Invoicing (eInvoicing)

By   21 August 2023
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The rules for sending, receiving and storing VAT invoices in an electronic format.

What is an eInvoicing?

eInvoicing is the transmission and storage of invoices in an electronic format without duplicate paper documents. The format may be a structured format such as XML or an unstructured format such as PDF.

The benefits of eInvoicing

eInvoicing offers significant advantages over paper invoices. The electronic transmission of documents in a secure environment usually provides for:

  • structured data for auditing
  • improved traceability of orders
  • decreased reliance on paper reducing storage and handling costs
  • rapid access and retrieval
  • improved cash flow
  • security and easier dispute handling

Currently, a business does not have to use eInvoicing, but if it does, in conjunction with paper invoices, (a so-called dual system) it can only do this for a short period, ie; if eInvoicing is being trialled.

It is not necessary to inform HMRC that a business is using eInvoicing.

Requirements

eInvoices must contain the same information as paper invoices.

A business may eInvoice where the “authenticity of the origin”, “integrity of invoice data”, and “legibility” can be ensured, and the customer agrees to receive eInvoices

  • authenticity of the origin means the assurance of the identity of the supplier or issuer of the invoice
  • integrity of content means that the invoice content has not been altered
  • legibility of an invoice means that the invoice can be easily read

A business is free to select a method of ensuring the above requirements. Examples of ensuring authenticity and integrity include:

Formats

HMRC accepts a variety of eInvoice message formats, including:

  • traditional EDI standards such as UN/EDIFACT, EANCOM and ODETTE
  • XML-based standards
  • comma-delimited ASCII, PDF

The eInvoices must be transmitted in a secure environment, using industry-accepted authenticity and security technologies, including, but not limited to: http-s, SSL, S-MIME and FTP.

Internal controls required

A business will need to demonstrate that it has control over:

  • completeness and accuracy of the invoice data
  • timeliness of processing
  • prevention, or detection of, the possible corruption of data during transmission
  • prevention of duplication of processing (by the person who receives the invoice)
  • prevention of the automatic processing, by the person who receives the invoice, of certain types of invoice on which VAT may not be recoverable – for example, margin scheme invoices
  • a recovery plan in case of a system failure or loss of data
  • an audit trail between eInvoicing systems and the internal application systems which are used to process the eInvoices

Storage

The same rules apply to storage of eInvoices as to paper invoices. A business must normally keep copies of all invoices for six years.

HMRC Access

HMRC may request access to:

  • the operations of any computer systems which produce or receive VAT invoices, and to the data stored on them
  • supporting documentation including; file structures, audit trail, controls, safe keeping, and information about how the accounting system is organised
  • information about the system’s interrogation facilities

HMRC must be able to take copies of information from the system.

If a business cannot meet the conditions for transmission and storage of eInvoicing, it will have to issue paper invoices.

Overages – what are they and what is the VAT treatment?

By   4 August 2023
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Land and property transactions are often complex and high value for VAT purposes. One area which we have been increasingly involved with is overages.

What is an overage?

An overage is an agreement whereby a purchaser of land agrees to pay the vendor an additional sum of money, in addition to the purchase price, following the occurrence of a future specified event that enhances the value of the land. This entitles the seller to a proportion of the enhanced value following the initial sale. Overages may also be called clawbacks, or uplifts.

Overages are popular with landowners who sell with the benefit of development potential and with buyers who may be able to purchase land at an initial low price with a condition that further payment will be made contingent on land increasing in value in the future – this may be as a result, of, say, obtaining Planning Permission.

VAT Treatment

This is not free from doubt. HMRC’s current view is that the VAT treatment of the overage follows the VAT treatment of the initial supply. This means that it is deemed to be additional consideration for the original supply, so if the land was subject to an Option To Tax (OTT) when originally disposed of  the overage payment would be subject to VAT at 20%. Conversely, if the land was sold on an exempt basis, the overage is similarly VAT free and it is important to recognise this and not to charge VAT unnecessarily which would create difficulties for the buyer (because it would not be a VAT-able supply, HMRC would disallow a claim for input tax).

It is crucial to identify this VAT outcome, especially as there could be a long period between the original sale and the overage and there may be a succession of overage payments. Comprehensive records should be made and retained on the VAT status of land sold.

Uncertainty

Uncertainty arises because HMRC have changed its view on overages. The original interpretation was that there were two separate supplies, each with distinct VAT treatments. As there was no link to the original supply, the overage was mandatorily standard rated, even if the initial supply was exempt.

Additionally, take the position where the original sale was standard rated due to an OTT on the land, and the buyer subsequently built and sold new dwellings (which effectively disapplies the OTT via para 3, Notice 742A) it could be argued that the overage should be exempt as it is linked to the sale of the new houses.

We understand that HMRC’s analysis is that VAT treatment of overages is determined at the time of the original supply such that it cannot be affected by subsequent events.

In our view, the “new” HMRC view may be open to challenge – We await updated published guidance on this.

VAT: New HMRC guidance on error reporting

By   4 July 2023
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HMRC has published new guidance to assist taxpayers on how to deal with errors discovered on submitted VAT returns. The catchy title is: Check if you need to report errors in your VAT Return – Check if you need to notify HMRC about errors that are over the threshold on your VAT Return and find out how to report them.

The guidance sets out how to report errors of £10,000 or more (net of all errors). This broadly comes down to using the online service by completing a form VAT652 or adjusting a current VAT return.

Please see our flowchart on error reporting Error Reporting Flowchart

VAT: Business or non-business? The 3D Crowd CIC case

By   4 July 2023
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Latest from the courts

Business or non-business?

In the First-Tier Tribunal (FTT) case of 3D Crowd CIC (3D) the issue was whether a donation of goods, with a subsequent intention to sell similar goods constituted a business activity such that input tax incurred in relation to it was recoverable.

Background

3D was formed at the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic to produce face protection via the process of 3D printing. Such protection was in high demand, but there was a shortage of suitable products for healthcare workers. The appellant produced 130,000 face shields in the first six weeks of production; which was an admirable feat. However, it was not possible to sell this equipment without the appropriate accreditation. Consequently, to alleviate demand, 3D donated the PPE to the NHS.

By the time accreditation was given the demand for PPE had reduced so it was not possible to sell the 3D printed face coverings as initially intended.

Technical

The issue of business versus non-business has been a contentious issue in the VAT world from day one. This classification is important for two reasons. If an activity is a business (an economic activity) it could be subject to VAT and, as in this case, if an activity is non-business there is usually a restriction of input tax.

Contentions

3D said that input tax could be recovered on costs which involved no direct onward supply of goods or services, but which laid the groundwork for them. That is, the input tax could be attributed to an intended taxable supply, even though that intention was not fulfilled by circumstances outside its control.

HMRC argued that per Longbridge the correct test for determining whether an activity is a business activity is whether there is a direct link between the services or goods supplied and a payment received by the supplier. In this case, there was not so no input tax was reclaimable. HMRC also referred to the decision in Wakefield College, supporting the proposition that an activity is only a business activity if it results in the supply of goods or services for a consideration.

Decision

The FTT found that the VAT incurred on supplies made to 3D, constituted elements:

  • in connection with 3D seeking CE certification
  • related to general overheads
  • related to VAT incurred on materials bought to produce the PPE

Input tax incurred on the costs of accreditation is recoverable because these were incurred in order to sell PPE in the future and for no other purpose. The fact that these costs are not linked to a particular supply (and is in the nature of preparing the ground for future supplies) was irrelevant per The VAT Act 1994, Schedule 1, para 10.

The VAT incurred on the general overhead costs and on the costs of producing the PPE was incurred in part for business purposes and party for non-business (donations) and should be apportioned using a method agreed between 3D and HMRC.

Commentary

Another case highlighting the difficulty in identifying the distinction between business and non-business and the complexity of input tax attribution. The altruistic efforts of the CIC is to be admired, but such charitable (in the broad sense) activities do not always get their just reward in VAT terms.

Recovery of VAT on company cars

By   3 July 2023
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Further to our guide to the recovery of input tax on motoring expenses we are often asked about the specifics of a business acquiring a motor car. So, this article sets out the different rules.

Purchase of a car

If a business purchases a car outright, regardless of how this is funded, no input tax is claimable at all. However, If the taxpayer is either a taxi or driving instructor business, VAT falls to be 100% recoverable.

Hire Purchase (HP)

This is treated as a supply of goods as the ownership of the car passes at the end of the agreement. Similarly, to an outright purchase, input tax is blocked for all taxpayers except taxi and driving instructor businesses.

Lease hire

If the car is ‘qualifying car’, and is returned at the end of the agreement it is a supply of services; a lease. There is a specific rule which means that 50% of the VAT is recoverable on the rental payments if it is used for business purpose. The 50% block is to cover the private use of the car. Again, a 100% reclaim is possible if it is to be used for hire with a driver for carrying passengers or providing driving instruction.

The 50% block applies to all the VAT on charges paid for the rental of the car. This includes:

  • optional services — unless they’re supplied and identified separately from the leasing supply on the tax invoice
  • excess mileage charge — if it forms part of a supply of leasing but not if it was incurred on an excess mileage charge that forms part of a separate supply of maintenance

Personal Contract Purchase (PCP)

This is a little more complex because a PCP can either be treated as a supply of goods (the car), or a supply of services (a lease) depending on the terms of the contract. The following treatment is based on the Mercedes Benz Financial Services case.

The difference between services or goods:

This distinction depends on the level of the final payment. This is known as the Guaranteed Minimum Future Value (GMFV).

Services

  • If the final optional payment (known as a balloon payment) is set at or above the anticipated market value (the GMFV) of the car at the time the option is to be exercised, the contract will be deemed a supply of leasing services with VAT on each instalment. A business can therefore recover 50% of input tax on each monthly payment. A balloon payment is the final “lump sum” which the agreement sets out is to be paid if a customer chooses to own the car at the end of the agreement.

Goods

  • If the final optional payment is set below the anticipated market value, such that any rational customer would choose to buy the car, the contract is a supply of goods with a separate supply of finance. VAT is therefore due on the supply of goods in full at the beginning of the contract and the finance element is exempt. In such cases input tax is 100% blocked.

The distinction

It is often difficult to distinguish between services and goods in relation to PCP cars. We find that the wording of contracts is often arcane and unhelpful (and not particularly drafted with VAT in mind). If the supply is not determinable by reference to the agreement documentation, a simple and practical solution is to consider the invoice. Broadly, if it is a lease the supplier will charge VAT on the monthly payments, but a purchase would mean VAT is charged in full up front at the tax point.

Input tax on repairs 

If a vehicle is used for business purposes, there is a 100% reclaim of the VAT charged on repairs and maintenance as long as the business paid for the work and the vehicle is used for some business purposes. It does not matter if the vehicle is used for some private motoring or if a business has chosen not to reclaim input tax on road fuel.

VAT: How long do I have to keep records?

By   26 June 2023
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Time limits for keeping records

Record keeping is a rather dry subject, but it is important not to destroy records which HMRC may later insist on seeing! I have looked at what VAT records a business is required to keep here, but how long must they be kept for?

This is seemingly a straightforward question, but as is usual with VAT there are some ifs and buts.

The basic starting point

The usual answer is that VAT records must be kept for six years. However, there are circumstances where that limit is extended and also times when it may be reduced. Although the basic limit is six years, unless fraud is suspected, HMRC can only go back four years to issue assessments, penalties and interest.

Variations to the six year rule

One Stop Shop (OSS)

If a business is required to use the OSS then its records must be retained for ten years (and they should be able to be sent to HMRC electronically if asked).

Capital Goods Scheme (CGS)

If a business has assets covered by the CGS, eg; certain property, computers, aircraft and ships then adjustments will be required up to a ten year period. Consequently, records will have to be retained for at least ten years in order to demonstrate that the scheme has been applied correctly.

Land and buildings 

In the case of land and buildings you might need to keep documents for 20 years. We advise that records are kept this long in any event as land and buildings tend to be high value and complex from a VAT perspective, However, it is necessary in connection with the option to tax as it is possible to revoke an option after 20 years.

Transfer Of a Going Concern (TOGC)

This is more of a ‘who” rather than a what or a how long. When a business is sold as a going concern, in most circumstances the seller of the business will retain the business records. When this happens, the seller must make available to the buyer any information the buyer needs to comply with his VAT obligations. However, in cases where the buyer takes on the seller’s VAT registration number, the seller must transfer all of the VAT the records to the buyer unless there is an agreement with HMRC for the seller to retain the records. If necessary, HMRC may disclose to the buyer information it holds on the transferred business. HMRC do this to allow the buyer to meet his legal obligations. But HMRC will always consult the seller first, to ensure that it does not disclose confidential information.

How can a business cut the time limits for record keeping?

It is possible to write to HMRC and request a concession to the usual time limits. HMRC generally treat such a request sympathetically, but will not grant a concession automatically. If a concession is granted there is still a minimum allowance period of preservation which is in line with a business’ commercial practice.

Computer produced records

Where records are stored in an electronic form, a business must be able to ensure the records’ integrity, eg; that the data has not changed, and the legibility throughout the required storage period. If the integrity and legibility of the stored electronic records depends on a specific technology, then the original technology or an equivalent that provides backwards compatibility for the whole of the required storage period must also be retained. 

How to keep records

HMRC state that  VAT records may be kept on paper, electronically or as part of a software program (eg; bookkeeping software). All records must be accurate, complete and readable.

Penalties

If a business’ records are inadequate it may have to pay a record-keeping penalty. If at an inspection HMRC find that records have deliberately been destroyed your they will apply a penalty of £3,000 (this may be reduced to £1,500 if only some of the records are destroyed). In addition, there will be questions about why they have been destroyed!